Tentering machines



May 22, 1956 H. AINSWORTH 2,746,117

TENTERING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 2, 1952 BY L WM ATTORNEY y 22, 1956 H. AINSWORTH 2,746,117

TENTERING MACHINES Filed Dec. 2, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 4/8 47 dA/E' CYCZE. ATTORNEY United States Patent C) 'IENTERING MACHINES Harold Ainsworth, East Orange, N. 3.

Application December 2, 1952, Serial No. 323,612

9 Claims. (Cl. 2657) The present invention relates to tentering machines of improved construction and operation.

In the manufacture of textiles, the fabric after certain treatments, requires a drying operation while under tension to give a smooth surface and remove irregularities or wrinkles. For this purpose clip or pin chains are employed on what is termed a tenter frame. The clip type chain is most commonly used and although the present invention may be used with either type it is shown as applied to tenter frames having clip chains.

It is well recognized in the industry that desirable results are attained by imparting a stretching action to the cloth or fabric during its travel through the tenter frame. This has been accomplished in several ways and is known as jigging or stretching the cloth laterally first in one direction and then the other.

The travel of a fabric through the tenter frame is an important step in the production of a quality product and it is an object of the present invention to provide a tenter frame wherein the degree and variation of the stretching or jigging operation may be adjusted and controlled.

Another object of the invention is to make it possible to cause the cloth to be given a controlled added stretch at the extreme points of each diagonal stretch or jigging operation to obtain a result similar to that when the cloth is subjected to what is known in the art as hand shaking to remove frays caused by abrasions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tenter frame wherein the speed of travel of the clip chains may be varied.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tenter frame wherein the speed of travel of the clip chains is synchronized during respective speed variations.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine wherein the fabric, during travel may be alternately stretched in opposite directions to a given degree determined by the width of the fabric.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine whereby mechanism eifecting the stretching action may be controlled and conveniently adjustable to regulate the degree of stretching in accordance with the width and character or type of the material being treated.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following description together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates an elevational side view of a tentering machine modified in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a view taken on line lI--II in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view taken on line IHIH in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a view taken on line IVIV in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic plan view indicating clip chains in relation to a strip of fabric subjected to a stretching or jiggering operation;

Fig. 6 shows one of the driven elements of the machine with its path of movement indicated in dotted lines;

2,7461 17 Patented May 22, 1956 Fig. 7 diagrammatically illustrates the position of the driven element at different points of its travel;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but shows the driven element in an adjusted position;

Fig. 9 indicates the points of movement of the adjusted element during its travel, and

Fig. 10 is a graphic representation of the variation in the movement of the clip chains.

Tenter frames as employed in the textile industry are well known and as shown in the drawings include a pair of clip chains A and B which engage the edges of a strip of fabric C. The chains are caused to travel through adjacent paths and the strip of fabric is fed to the clips at one end of the frame and discharged over a roller D mounted to swivel at the discharge end E of the frame. As is the general practice, the clips are automatically actuated to grip the edges of the fabric strip as it enters the tenter frame and to automatically release the fabric at the discharge end.

It is the current practice in the industry to provide tenter frames with means whereby the relative positions of the clip chains may be changed to vary the distance between opposite clips to accommodate strips of fabric of diiferent widths.

The present invention modifies the above type of machine by providing mechanism for translating movement to each clip chain in such manner that a common drive operates means acting simultaneously to vary the degree of movement of each clip chain and adjustable to change the degree of variable movement of the clip chains to meet different conditions attending the jigging or stretching of the fabric as it travels between the clip chains.

Referring now more specifically to Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings, it will be noted that in accordance with the present invention a tentering machine is shown which includes a base plate 10 on which is supported a motor 11 having a sprocket wheel 12 for driving a chain 13 which in turn engages the teeth of a sprocket wheel 14 secured to one end of what may be termed a primary driving shaft 15. This shaft is mounted on elevated bearing brackets 16, 17, 18 and 19 secured to the base plate 10. The said shaft being rotated by motor 11 through chain 13 and sprocket Wheel 14, thus providing a direct and constant drive for shaft 15.

Intermediate the ends of shaft 15 is secured a pinion 21 for rotation with said shaft. At opposite sides of, and adjacent to pinion 21 are disposed adjustable link members 22 and 23 loosely mounted, at their ends 24 and 25, on shaft 15. The opposite ends of said link members are provided with hearing hubs 26 and 27 loose on and at opposite ends of a stub shaft 28. Between said bearing hubs and loosely mounted on stub shaft 28 is an idler gear wheel 29. This idler gear wheel is disposed in mesh with pinion 21 and a spur gear wheel 31 secured to what may be termed a secondary drive shaft 32 mounted for rotation in elevated bearings 33 and 34. The bearings in which shaft 32 is journaled are secured to a slide plate 35 movable endwise in guide rails 36 and 37 integral with base plate 10. Thus the spur gear 31 mounted on shaft 32 is adjustable with relation to pinion 21.

As stated above the idler gear wheel 29 is in mesh with pinion 21 which is driven continuously by motor 11. Therefore, since idler gear wheel 29 is in mesh with pinion 21 and spur gear wheel 31, motion is translated to the spur gear wheel.

Inasmuch as the spur gear wheel is adjustable with relation to the pinion 21, the idler gear wheel 29 is also adjustable to maintain engagement between the idler, pinion and spur gear when these gears are relatively adjusted. The idler gear 29 is therefore provided with bracket arms 38 and 39 pivotally connected, at their opposite ends to idler stub shaft 28 and spurgear wheel shaft 32 respec- 'tively. Thus an adjustment of spur gear 31 by movement of slide plate 35 may be made without disengaging the idler. gear wheel from pistes-21minsptir-ge'ar31.

The shaft -32, upon which the 's'p'ur gear wheel 31 is mounted extends at b'othends from bearings 33 'an'd 34. Secured to these extending ends-ofthe'shaft 32 ar'e'crossheads "or slotted guides 41 and'42 having hubs '43 and 44' respectively, secured to said extending end's -6f 'shaft'32. Each eross head 41 and 4 2 inclu'desa'slipper o'r slideb'lock 44 and 45 respectively.

Sli'de block '44 is pivotally connected by pin 46 to one end of a crank 47. The other end at "this crank is pievided '-with a hub '48 secured toonteehddfttilizit may be termed an intermediate "drive shaft"49 rotatable in b'ea'ring standards 50 and 50" secured to base plate Adjacent to said bearing 50 "and "se cur'ed to shaft 49is -a sprocket 51 connected by link 'belt 52 to sprocket "53 secured to a shaft 54. This shaft which maybeterli'l'ed a clip chain drive shaft serves to cause thecli'p chain A fot'r'avelat uniform speed by means 'to'be later described.

Slide block 45 is pivotally connected at 56th 'bneeiid of a crank 57. The'other end "of this crank is provided 'with a hub '58 secured to the other end of what maybe termed an intermediate drive shaft 59,rotatable'in be'arin'g 'standardsdli andfi' 's'ecured fo base plate 1?). Adjacent to said bearing 60 and secured to shaft "59 'isa pulley 5'1 connected by belt'62 to a pulley63secu'red to clip chain drive shaft 54'.

From the above it will be evident that the constantly driven pinion 21 on primary drive shaft 32,in mesh'vvith idler 29 drives spur 'g'ear wheel 31 which latter 'in "turn causes a rotation 'of cross-heads 41 and '42. Ah'actiiation of the cross-heads results in a rotation of shafts 49 and 59 and by reason of link belts 32 and "62 the shafts '54 and 54 are rotated simultaneously and serve-as a duplex drive'for translating power from shaft 32.

As more clearly'shown in Fig. '3 shafts 54 and 54" are journaled in elevated bearings 65, 66 and 67. The shaft '54 extends transversely beneath clip chain A, at one end thereof. The shaft 54 extends transversely beneath one end of clip chain B. The ends of shafts "54sa'nd54' are both journaled in bearing66. 7 y The clip chains are of the well known endless chain type and each consists of a plurality of hingedly connected clips 70. Each clip is provided with the usual shoe and gripper member actuated to engage an edge of a strip of fabric E as the fabric is fed into the tenter frame and to automatically release the fabric as it'approac'hes -the discharge end of the machine and .passes over roller D.

Each clip chain is provided with the usual side rails "68 and 68' and with sprockets '69 and 69' (see Fig. 2') which engage and drive the chains through adjacent paths. As shown clip chain A is provided with the sprocket wheel 69 integral with bevel gear wheel 71 in mesh with bevel gear Wheel 72 on hub 73. This hub is disposed on shaft 5 4 and is provided with a key to be received by slot or keyway 74. Thus the bevel gear wheel 72 may be moved' along shaft 54 to permit the shaft to drive the bevel .gea-r when in differentipositions along the shaft.

Clip chain B is provided with sprocket wheel 69", as shown, integral with bevel gear wheel 75 in mesh with bevel gear wheel 76 on hub 77. Thus hub is disposed -on shaft 54' which is also provided with a slot or keyway 78 to receive a key integral with hub 77; wherebythe bevel -gear wheel 76 may be rotated at different positions along shaft 54'.

From the above it will be evident that-clip-chain A and clip chain B may be adjusted -to accommodate strips of fabric of -different widths. For-the purpose of accomplishing this adjustment, the clip chains A'and -B-are mounted on standards 81'and 82 respectively slidable on track 83.

Integral with standards 81 and 82 are internally threaded extensions 84 and 84' respectively to receive threaded shaft 85. This shaft is rotatable in bearings 86 and 87 and is provided with a hand wheel 88. The extensions 84 and 84' have threads of opposite, left and right, pitch whereby a rotation of shaft causes a movement of the clip chain supporting standards 81 and 82 toward or away from each other with a like movement of the clip chains to accommodate the variations in the widths of different strips of cloth. The adjustability of the clip chains to vary their spaced relation is 'w'ell'k'newn practice and the structure shown for that purpose is similar to that found in machines used in the industry.

As stated hereinabove theclip ehain's-Aaiid B a're driven by the continuously rotating pinion 21 through the agency of the intermediate motion'transla'tin'g mechanism which in accordance with the present invention is so controlled as to make possible the movement of the clip chains in unison but at different speeds, which mechanism is readily adjustable to vary the rate of variation in the speed of travel of the clip chain's.

This c-c u'trol "and "regulation of 'the -movement of the clip chains is accomplished 'by tlietr'atislation of *niotion from the c'ontinuo'usly driven pinion 21, thence to spur gear Wheel 31 which causes a'rotation of shaft-32 thereby 'ca'usiiiga rotation of c'ross heads-44 and '45.

The -rel'ative p'osition'6f the slide blocks 'of the tressheads with respect to shaft 32 determines th'e'rate 'of speed of the shafts '49 and '59 and since these'shafts 'tra'n'smitdndtion 'to the clip chains A and B their'rat'e of travel 'will also be determined by the cooperative relation between the cros's-heads'and shaft 32. e

In order 'to produce a "stretching-o1- jig'gerin'g operation it ishecessary to cause'one clip chain to move at a-relatively slow rate of speed while the'o'ther clip chain'rn'ove's at higher rate 6f s eed. Thus in the present machine an 'efiective jiggering operation 'is'elfeeted by adjusting the positions 'of'th'e slide blocks 44 and 45; of cross-heads 4'1 and 42 respectively. For example, as shown in thedrawing,'s1ide block 44is at alpoint in close'relation to shaft 32 "around whichit rotates while slide block 4'5 is at the outer.

liiiiit of its swing "around shaft 32 thereby impartin the required diagonal pull to the cloth in alternately reverse directions and as will be evident'each pull 'or "stressfsta'rts at substantially low speed and increases "to a selected higher rate of speed. Thus the cross-heads serve as adjustable motion transmissionmembers.

Tliisr'a'fe bf'sp'eed maybe varied as above stated, as for example, if the shaft 32 and the shafts 49 and a'rein alignment the slide block of the cross-heads will rotate at the speed 'of shaft 32 and 'if this relation is ehangedjthe speed of "rotation of the cross-heads willvaryaecor'dingly.

As stated hereinabove'the shaft 32 isjour'iialed'in bearings'33 and 34 secured to slide "plate 35 therefore an adjustm'ent of the slide plate will change the space relation between shaft 32 and'the cr'o'ss-head's. Forthe purpose of adjusting the slide plate 35 it is provided 'with hearing bracket'91 "to receive athfeaded'shaft' 92. This (s e Fig. 4) extends through a "threaded nut member '93 mounted in bracket '91 integral with slide plate 35. Ad- 'jacent to one end of shaft 92 is a bearing 94 integral with the base .plate 10 of the machine. The shaft 92 is'retained against endwise movement by collars "95 and is provided with a sprocket wheel 96 connected by ehain 97 to sprocket wheel98 at one end of shaft'99 provided with a hand wheel 1 00. y

A rotation of the hand wheel 100 causes a movement of the slide plate 35 thereby changing the position of shaft 32 with relation to the cross-heads 41 and 42tltie'rel5y varying the rate of rotation of shafts 49 "and 59'with an attending change in the rate of travel of fclip chains -A-and B. n 7/ Figs. 6 and 7 diagrammatically illustrate the paths of travel of a slide block 44 when shaft 32 and 49 are spaceddistanced. Figs. -8 and 9 illustrate the paths of travel of slide block 44 when the shaft 32 and shaft 49 are in axial alignment, and the graph of Fig. 10 indicates the variable speeds relative to distance of travel.

Having provided a machine wherein it is possible and practical to control the rate of travel of the clip chains and to vary the degree of stretch for a given jiggering operation, the present apparatus may be employed to perform an operation similar to what is known as hand shaking. This method of stretching includes a slight additional pull beyond what is normally given to a strip of cloth of a given width. The present invention makes this operation possible. As above pointed out the degree of stretch can be varied. For example, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the drive shaft 32 and intermediate shafts 49 and 59 are aligned and thus the speed of movement of clip chains A and B is the same for both chains and at a given rate for a strip of cloth of a selected width. As shown the relative positions of the cross-heads 41 and 42 are such that the cycle of the movement of one clip chain will coincide with the movement of the other clip chain to the extent that the chains will both move at a given constant rate or by adjusting shaft 32 with relation to shafts 49 and 59 one chain may be made to slow up while the other accelerates and vice versa.

The present invention makes it possible to regulate the degree of stretch and therefore the stretching operation can be controlled to meet the requirements of a given width of cloth passing through the frame. The prescribed jiggering operation may be performed with an added slight stretch beyond that which would be normal. Obviously the amount of added stretch is extremely important and must be regulated for diiferent widths of cloth being processed. The present machine makes this regulation and control practical. The following are examples of the degree of over stretch for cloth strips of different widths:

Normal Stretch, inches Widths of Cloth, inches OhhMONhNG-HBIO An important part of the machine resides in the fact that the adjustment to regulate the jiggering action is eadily at hand and under convem'ent control of the attendant who may at any time operate hand wheel 100 to adjust or change the rate of movement of the clip chains. Thus when the width of a particular strip of cloth has been taken into consideration the hand wheel 100 is operated and shaft 32 is adjusted with relation to shafts 49 and 59. This regulation is under control of the operator even while the cloth is being processed and if the desired result is not attained by an initial adjustment the operator may manipulate the hand wheel 106 until the desired effective jiggering is produced, either a normal stretching or a stretching with the added increment of motion to attain the result which follows the hand shaking operation.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown and described herein, it is to be understood that modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A tentering machine comprising a pair of clip chains movable through adjacent paths, a main drive gear, a secondary drive gear, a movable support for said secondary drive gear, an idler gear in mesh with said main and secondary gears, intermediate driving shafts for moving said chains through their respective paths, and adjustable motion transmission members for changing the rate of movement of said driving shafts upon change in the relative position of said secondary drive gear.

2. A tentering machine comprising a pair of clip chains movable through spaced apart parallel paths, a main driving source, a secondary driving source, a shaft rotated by said secondary driving source, a movable support for said secondary driving source and said shaft as a unit, means at each end of said shaft for translating motion to move said clip chains at different rates of speed when said support is in one position, and means for moving said support during travel of said clip chains to reduce the rate of speed of one chain and increase the rate of speed of the other chain.

3. A tentering machine comprising a pair of clip chains movable through spaced apart parallel paths, a main driving gear, a secondary driving gear, a shaft rotated by said secondary driving gear, a movable support for said secondary driving gear and said shaft as a unit, means at each end of said shaft for translating motion to move said clip chains at different rates of speed when said support is in one position, and means for moving said support during travel of said clip chains to'reduce the rate of speed of one chain and increase the rate of speed of the other chain.

4. A tentering machine comprising a pair of clip chains movable through spaced apart parallel paths, a main driving means, a shaft, a secondary driving gear secured to and between opposite ends of said shaft, a cross-head at each end of said shaft, each of said cross-heads having a. slide-block movable between said shaft and an end of said cross-head, a crank member disposed adjacent to and pivotally connected to each of said slide-blocks, and means connecting said cranks to said clip chains to cause said chains to travel along said paths upon a rotation of said secondary driving gear.

5. A tentering machine comprising a pair of clip chains movable through spaced apart parallel paths, a main driving means, a shaft, a secondary driving gear secured to and between opposite ends of said shaft, a movable support for said secondary gear, a cross-head at each end of said shaft, each of said cross-heads having a slide-block movable between said shaft and an end of said cross-head, a crank member disposed adjacent to and pivotally connected to each of said slide-blocks, means connecting said cranks to said clip chains to cause said chains to travel along said paths upon a rotation of said secondary driving gear, and means for moving said support to change the positions of said slide-blocks relative to the shaft of said secondary gear.

6. A tentering machine comprising a pair of clip chains movable through spaced apart parallel paths, a main driving means, a shaft, a secondary driving gear secured to and between opposite ends of said shaft, a cross-head at each end of said shaft, each of said cross-heads having a slide-block movable between said shaft and an end of said cross-head, one slide-block being positioned relatively close to said shaft when the other slide-block is positioned relatively close to the free end of said crosshead, a crank member disposed adjacent to and pivotally connected to each of said slide-blocks, and means connecting said cranks to said clip chains to cause said chains to travel along said paths upon a rotation of said secondary driving gear.

7. A tentering machine comprising a pair of clip chains movable through spaced apart parallel paths, a main driving means, a shaft, a secondary driving gear secured to and between opposite ends of said shaft, a movable support for said secondary gear, a cross-head at each end of said shaft, each of said cross-heads having a slide-block movable between said shaft and an end of said cross-head, one slide-block positioned relatively close to said shaft, the other slide-block positioned relatively dist-ant from said shaft, a crank member disposed adjacent to and pivotally connected to each of said slide-blocks, and means their "respective paths, adjustable 'mOti'on transmission 'r'rfe'nibisffor changing the rite of movement of said drivi'n'g shafts u on a movement of "said supp'o'rt t'o 'chang'e "the "reldtfve position of said s'ecbn'cla'ry flrive gear, and means for changing the relative position bf "s'aidsecondar'y "c'iriv'e gear during intivement of saidclip ehains through their respective paths.

'9. A tente'ringmachine comprising a'pai'r 'o'f blip-chains inbx atile throiigh adjacent paths, a mzi-i'n iifiv'e 'gelir, a s'ecbndary drive .gear, a movable support for said secondaty firive gea'f, iiifefmeiiiate driving eh'aft's operated "by pe'sitien df 'saiid secondary drive gear during movement of 's'aiii clip chiin s through their respective paths.

References Cited in the file of this patent STATES PATENTS 

